KUCHING, May 16 — Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) will review its Barisan Nasional (BN) membership and consult its state coalition partners on the formation of a new pact.

Its president, Datuk Abang Johari Openg, who is state BN chairman, announced this after chairing the party’s supreme council meeting today.

“We will review our position in BN,” said Abang Johari.

He said he will call a meeting with PBB’s state BN partners — Sarawak United People’s Party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak and Progressive Democratic Party — on the formation of a “united coalition of Sarawak” soon.

Quashing rumours that the state BN would join Pakatan Harapan (PH), he said: “We will work together with the federal government in the context of the Federal Constitution but we will not join Pakatan Harapan.

“You must remember, we are a federal system, but our interest is the people of Sarawak first.”

Sarawak is one of three remaining BN-controlled states after PH swept to power in last Wednesday’s general election.

The state coalition suffered its worst defeat in parliamentary polls, losing 12 of 31 seats. Significantly, it lost six seats in Dayak-majority areas, which were seen to be the coalition’s “fixed deposit”.

Soon after the polls, it was reported that the state BN parties were mulling joining PH but state PH chief Chong Chieng Jen swiftly protested any attempts by the parties to cross over en bloc.

Abang Johari’s announcement today could be a result of his discussion with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Daim Zainuddin, who heads the Council of Eminent Persons, on Monday.

With the Sarawak state election due in about three years, the formation of a new coalition of Sarawak parties could be a strategic move to ensure the former BN parties remain in power.

Reading from a prepared text at the press conference earlier, Abang Johari said PBB was committed to moving forward on a strong and united front in the interest of Sarawakians.

He said the 19 parliamentarians from the state coalition, 13 of whom are from PBB, would be effective voices in fighting for Sarawak in parliament.

“We are determined to pursue and ensure that our quest for devolution of powers from the federal government be mounted further, in an even stronger mode and effort.

“We will passionately continue to fight for Sarawak interests first, at all costs, and we will enhance all efforts to take back our infringed rights under MA63, the federal Constitution and all relevant laws.”

There was not a single mention of BN in Abang Johari’s text.